Name: Sebastian
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Question:
Why is sulfur trioxide and nitrogen dioxide harmful to plants?
Replies:
The sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can combine with atmospheric
water and result in "acid rain" or acidic deposition, which can
affect lakes and streams, soil, and plants depending upon the acidic
magnitude plus local environmental conditions from already acidic
sensitive environments to more resistant naturally buffered limestone soils.
Anthony Brach, PhD
Missouri Botanical Garden
c/o Harvard University Herbaria
Both compounds react readily with water to form sulfuric acid and nitric
acid respectively. These acids are very reactive toward any number of
components in the plant.
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